Medium under $45K: Australia’s Best Value Cars 2017

By Wheels Staff, 17 Nov 2017Best Value Cars

After a smart sedan with decent space but don’t need something limo-sized? These cars should provide you with the “happy medium” you’re searching for.

After a smart sedan with decent space but don’t need something limo-sized? These cars should provide you with the “happy medium” you’re searching for.

1st: Mazda 6 Sport

The Mazda 6 Sport completed a near clean-sweep of the scoring criteria, starting with the least amount lost to depreciation in the first three years among podium players, and backing that with a lowest annual fuel cost and a sensible 12-month/10,000km service interval.

In fact, the only area where the entry-level mid-size Mazda did not beat both placegetters is in warranty, with its three years of cover trumped by the Kia’s seven-year guarantee. To live with, the base Mazda ticks boxes with its standard sat-nav and reversing camera, slick six-speed auto, gutsy four and tidy dynamics.

If you long for leather, LED bling and Bose audio, the Touring spec above boasts similar value credentials, and brings the option of a thrifty turbo-diesel that could pay off if you do lots of kays or keep cars for the long haul, as will the brand’s lifetime capped-price servicing scheme.

The Optima Si defines whitegoods on wheels and sticking to pragmatics sees it stay a convincing course for value. The brand’s seven-year warranty earns it points, and a 12-month service interval and low-cost insurance seal it second place.

You may not need a value analysis to suggest a base Camry is a low-cost proposition, but crunching the numbers shows why – it’s largely via a low purchase price, decent three-year resale and fuel economy, and reasonably priced insurance.